Whatever has appeared as birth, life, death, and the world has appeared on its own and it disappears on its own.+

We may belong to a different religion, belief, culture, tradition and lineage, nationality, and race.

We are a separate entity with identity with names with diverse blood groups, DNA, skin color.

With all this diversity there is unity because the world in which our birth, life, and death take place is created out of single clay. That single clay is the consciousness.

Knowledge of this single clay brings unity in diversity. Knowledge of this single clay is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

There is a need for humanity to realize we all are made of the same clay.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the only weapon that can stop the wars, violence, terrorism, which is going in the name of God and religion, and bring universal peace, universal love, and universal brotherhood. Religion makes diversity in unity whereas spirituality brings unity in diversity. 

Remember:~

Without ignorance, the universe ceases to exist. Without the universe, there is no possibility of birth, life, and death, which take place within the universe, which is the dualistic illusion or Maya. Until we hold the illusory universe as a reality we experience birth, life, and death as a reality.

Whatever has appeared as birth, life, death, and the world has appeared on its own and it disappears on its own.  Whether a person takes it as reality or illusion it all depends on his mental and intellectual conditions will determine the phenomenal world observed and experienced. The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it.

A Gnani viewing the universe (practical life within the practical world) different from the ignorant is viewing the same universe (practical life within the practical world). Each one of them interprets the universe he sees in terms of his existing knowledge.   The Gnani sees his body, his ego and his experience of the world as merely an illusion created out of consciousness whereas the ignorant sees his body as body, his ego as ego, and his experience of the world as world. 

Thus experiencing the pain and pleasure within the dualistic illusion or Maya with the illusory Self, within the illusory experience, has to be an illusion. The illusion is created and sustained and finally dissolves as consciousness, which is the innermost Self.  Since there is no second thing other than the consciousness (Soul); the consciousness itself is the ultimate truth or Brahman.  

The one who has realized this truth for him this illusion is passing show because he is fully aware of the fact that his body, his ego, and his experience of the world to be consciousness. Practical peoples approach is more practical, and they are stuck with the reality of the practical life within the practical world, they take it as real whereas Gnani has the firm conviction that:~

Formless Soul or Consciousness is the witness that experiences the action, the actor, and the world of separate things. It is like a light that illuminates everything in a theatre, revealing the master of ceremonies, the guests, and the dancers with complete impartiality. Even when they all depart, the light shines to reveal their absence.

What is not the consciousness (formless) in the experience of diversity (universe or waking)?  The waking and the dream cease to exist without consciousness.  The seeker, seeking and his destination all are one in essence.

Human psychology is based on the false Self (ego or waking entity) within the false experience (waking or illusion). Whatever is based on the false Self and false experience is bound to be a falsehood.  Thus perfect understanding ‘what is what’ is needed to realize ultimate truth or Brahman or God.  Thus one must realize how this world, which confronts him, is an illusion? And on what standpoint the world is an illusion. Without knowing ‘what is mind? ‘What is the substance of the mind?’ ‘What is the source of the mind?  The truth will not reveal. Thinking the mind is within the physical body is the greatest obstacle in pursuit of truth.  Thus, a deeper investigation is very much necessary in order to unfold the mystery of the mind.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

You have to bifurcate mysticism from Meher Baba’s teaching then only you will become aware of the hidden treasure of Meher Baba 's nondualistic truth or Advaitic truth.+

You have to bifurcate mysticism from Meher Baba’s teaching then only you will become aware of the hidden treasure of  Meher Baba's nondualistic truth or Advaitic truth. 

Only when you reach the seventh plane, which is ‘I AM God state’ (Self is God) you will realize God, the ‘Self’ alone is real and all else is an illusion.

Only Gnanis can see the Soul, the Self as it is, in the midst of the dualistic illusion (universe).

Thus, the seeker must realize ‘what God is supposed to be in actuality then only you will realize the universe is merely an illusion created out of God.

When you realize the words, thoughts, and the world in which you exist are created out of single stuff and that single stuff is consciousness, then you will realize the truth which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

When everything is created out of consciousness then there is no second thing that exists, other than consciousness. It takes time to grasp the Advaitic truth. All the obstacles have to be overcome one by one.

All fortune gained or lost within the world is within the illusion, because the world in which we exist is merely an illusion. You are the false self within the false experience. Therefore, whatever you have seen, known, believed, and experienced within this illusory world is bound to be an illusion.

To realize this world is an illusion, you must realize the ‘Self’ is not you, but ‘Self’ is the formless Soul. From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost Self, the world in which we exist is merely an illusion. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Remember: ~

Meher Baba Said: ~ A true aspirant is not content with the knowledge of spiritual realities based on hearsay... he insists on the direct knowledge."

Meher Baba: ~ "There is no higher or lower goal. There is only one goal, Self-Realization."

Meher Baba said: ~ God is your innermost Self. Do not search for God outside of you. Let these words be inscribed in your heart. Nothing is real but God. Nothing Matters but love for God. God is everywhere and does everything. God is beyond us and is everything. God alone is and all else is an illusion.

Remember: ~

Meher Baba: ~ "There is no higher or lower goal. There is only one goal, Self-Realization."

Meher Baba: ~ When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies, it has become a cage for the Soul.

Meher Baba said: ~ God is your innermost Self. Do not search for God outside of you. Let these words be inscribed in your heart. Nothing is real but God. Nothing Matters but love for God. God is everywhere and does everything. God is beyond us and is everything. God alone is and all else is an illusion.

Meher Baba: ~ The scriptures are like rotten bones rotted and are as food for worms.

Theosophy and philosophy are like good bones rotted and are as food for vultures.

The writings of inspired poets are like fresh bones and are as food for dogs.

The writings of spiritually advanced saints are like flesh and areas food for tigers.

The writings by living Perfect Masters are like a brain and are as food for men!

Good bones when rotted have some semblance of bone, but rotten bones, when rotted, are like filth.

So, you may go through the scriptures superficially — only to drive away from the barking dogs when necessary; for instance, when you are called upon to answer the queries of the priests and the orthodox. [Lord Meher 15: 5267]

Remember:~

Meher Baba: ~   If you could only understand that the whole universe is just a shadow of the Infinite God, you would never worry about these temporary things. Then you would know that you all eternally were, are, and will be in God.: ~Lord Meher online, p. 4046. photo credit: MSI collections.

Meher Baba Said: ~ A true aspirant is not content with the knowledge of spiritual realities based on hearsay... he insists on direct knowledge.

Meher Baba: ~ "There is no higher or lower goal. There is only one goal, Self-Realization."

Meher Baba what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

Meher Baba: ~ “When the reality appears this ignorance which one thinks as reality becomes unreal.

Meher Baba: ~ “It is absolutely essential for the spiritual aspirant who genuinely longs for union with God, the reality to shun the false practice of yogic posture and exercise, the meditation on other than God the beloved.

Meher Baba: ~ Spirituality does not need renunciation of worldly activities. It means the internal renunciation of mundane desires. Mere asceticism does not lead to spirituality. The Infinite embraces all expressions of life.

Meher Baba: ~ “It takes time for the runner to gain speed; it takes time for the sleeper to awake and it takes ages for one who has been spiritually asleep to be spiritually awakened."

Meher Baba said: ~ God is your innermost Self. Do not search for God outside of you. Let these words be inscribed in your heart. Nothing is real but God. Nothing Matters but love for God. God is everywhere and does everything. God is beyond us and is everything. God alone is and all else is an illusion.

When Meher Baba says God is your innermost Self and God alone is real all else is an illusion. It means God; the Self alone is real and all else an illusion. The illusion is the world in which we exist.

Meher Baba says GOD, whom we do not see, we say is real; and the world, which we do see, we say is false. In experience, what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

The Soul, the 'Self' has regained its own awareness of the reality of the dualistic illusion fades away.

The seeker has to have a deeper understanding to see God as it is in the midst of the illusion from Meher Baba's spiritual pearls.

Meher Baba: ~ When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies, it has become a cage for the Soul.

Remember: your inherited belief-based God is not God in truth. The world in which you exist is the product of ignorance. Till the ignorance is there the world in which you exist prevails as reality.

The intoxication of the dualistic illusion weakness to realize the Self’ hidden by the dualistic illusion will not allow unfolding the reality hidden by ignorance.

***

Meher Baba: ~ There is no difference in the realization of the Truth either by a Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, or a Christian. The difference is only in words and terms. Truth is not the monopoly of a particular race or religion.

Meher Baba says:~ UNLESS AND UNTIL ignorance is removed and Knowledge is gained . . . the Knowledge whereby the Divine Life is experienced and lived . . . everything pertaining to the spiritual seems paradoxical . . . GOD, whom we do not see, we say is real; and the world, which we do see, we say is false. In experience, what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

Meher Baba: ~ When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies, it has become a cage for the Soul.

Meher Baba: ~ The only REAL KNOWLEDGE is the Knowledge that God is the inner dweller in good people and so-called bad, in saint and so-called sinner. 

Remember

Meher Baba: ~ Spirituality does not need renunciation of worldly activities. It means the internal renunciation of mundane desires. Mere asceticism does not lead to spirituality. The Infinite embraces all expressions of life.

Meher Baba: ~ The scriptures are like rotten bones rotted and are as food for worms. Theosophy and philosophy are like good bones rotted and are as food for vultures. The writings of inspired poets are like fresh bones and are as food for dogs.

The writings of spiritually advanced saints are like flesh and are as food for tigers. The writings by living Perfect Masters are like the brain and are as food for men! Good bones when rotted have some semblance of bone, but rotten bones when rotted are like filth.

So, you may go through the scriptures superficially — only to drive away from the barking dogs when necessary; for instance, when you are called upon to answer the queries of the priests and the Orthodox. [Lord Meher 15: 5267]

Meher Baba: ~ “When the reality appears this ignorance which one thinks as reality becomes unreal.

***

The people of the world, the masses, do not believe in the existence of God. They merely fear God as an unknown, mighty Being, who rewards the good and worthy and punishes the wicked.

And it is this punishment of hell created by God that they fear more than God Himself; for if they really believed in Him- in His existence- and were afraid of Him, their behavior would be quite different from what it is today- dishonest, Selfish, deceitful and wicked.

If they really felt afraid of God, they would be ever alert not to do anything that would displease God, or that God would not like.

If they really trusted in God and believed in God's existence, they would at once is looking for God and would never rest until they find God.

For when love for God comes, fear of God vanishes. And when that love reaches its zenith, the lover finds that he himself is the Beloved. : ~ Meher Baba

Remember:~

Meher Baba: ~It is all made so complicated, and books on yoga have made it still more complicated.

No amount of reading and understanding can lead to God-realization. You must be made to see God. When you get that conviction through sight by the grace of a Perfect Master, you are ready for Union with God.

No amount of reading and understanding can lead to God-realization. You must be made to see God. When you get that conviction through sight by the grace of a Perfect Master, you are ready for Union with God. Lord Meher: ~ PAGE -4840

Even a yogi who is genuine and who gets absorbed in this real experience cannot reach the Goal, the aim of his life, unaided by the Perfect Master. Lord Meher:~ PAGE -4839

What is the aim of life? It is to see God and become one with God. If God is, then we must see Him! That is our sole aim. There are different ways of seeing God, called yogas. Some try to see God through meditation and concentration on the Absolute within. That too is a very long process. And this process of concentration does not help you to rip open the veil that separates you from the Beloved and allows you to see God within.

There are many yogis all over the world. Many of them try to gain bliss through extraneous means and become drug addicts. Many of them become addicted to smoking hemp [marijuana]. After one or two puffs they get a feeling of elation; then gradually the effect wears off. Different types of yogis try to see God through different means, and naturally, they get different experiences. But these are in fact only different kinds of hallucinations.

There are many fakes who dupe people and advertise their so-called experiences, although they are nothing but hallucinations. People flock around them to have some experience also, and thus they have their own circle of followers. They pass around a pipe of drugged [hashish or opium] tobacco, and when their followers smoke the pipe, they begin to have [drug-induced] "experiences" too!

One in a million, through intense concentration, does see God within himself. Then for him, nothing exists anymore; he sits absorbed within--~ PAGE -4839

Manduka - Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know any higher good.++****

People are misled because Advaitic Orthodoxy misinterpreted Sage Sankara and presented only the religious side of his teaching as the highest doctrine.

The orthodoxy is based on rituals and mythical Gods and Karma. Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara is nothing to with Advaitic orthodoxy.

Let Advaitic wisdom annihilate ignorance (I) and reveal Soul, the Self the God in truth. Let your ears become deaf to the untruth propagated by the religion as a reality; enable you to realize the truth hidden by the ignorance (I). Let your eyes become blind to illusion to receive the Soul as the Self as it is in the midst of the dualistic illusion.

All the orthodox ideas were rejected by Sage Sankara. There is no need to indulge in rituals, in order to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman. There is no need to study philosophy, in order to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman then why do you indulge in studying philosophy.

Sage Sankara pokes fun at ascetics and points out that all their austerities do not cause desires to go. (Altar Flowers" Page 205, v.2 P.207 v.4)

Sage Sankara pointed out those rituals could in no way bring about wisdom, much less moksha.

Sage Sankara says the rewards of the rituals are not a matter of direct realization. Advaitic wisdom is based on personal realization.

The orthodox Advaitin believes that rituals alone would lead one to higher levels of attainment. Further, the deities would reward only those entitled to perform the rituals alone. The entitlement involved the caste, creed, and other parameters.

The scriptural authority and value of rituals are part of the Advaitic orthodoxy, which is meant for ignorant people.

The Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara is nothing to do with religion, caste, rituals, worships, yoga, and other practices. Therefore, an obvious disparity between what Sage Sankara‘s path of Gnana and the path of Karma. The path of Gnana is meant for the advanced seeker of truth and the path of Karma is meant for the ignorant populace.

Even Sage Sankara appears and tells the orthodox people the path of orthodoxy is the path of ignorance they will not be able to drop their inherited samskara or conditioning, which they think is the only way to reach heaven and reap a happy life in the next life.

As regards the rituals, Sage Sankara says, the person who performs rituals and aspires for rewards will view himself in terms of the caste into which he is born, his age, the stage of his life, his standing in society, etc. In addition, he is required to perform rituals all through his life. However, the Self has none of those attributes or tags. Hence, the person who superimposes all those attributes on the changeless, eternal Self and identifies the ‘Self’ with the body is confusing one for the other; and is, therefore, an ignorant person. The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are therefore addressed to an ignorant person. - (11- Adhyasa Bhashya)

First Manduka - Chapter 2 (10) - Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know any higher good. Having enjoyed their reward on the heights of heaven, gained by good works, they still remain in ignorance of the Atman the real God.

As a person, one performs rituals throughout his life. The person who performs rituals and aspires for rewards will view the world in which he exists as a reality. However, the Soul, the Self unborn eternal hidden by the world in which he exists. From the standpoint of the Soul, the world in which he exists is merely an illusion.

The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are therefore addressed to an ignorant person.

First Manduka - Chapter 2 (9) - Children, immersed in ignorance in various ways, flatter themselves, saying: We have accomplished life's purpose, because, these performers of karma do not know the Truth owing to their attachment, they fall from heaven, misery-stricken when the fruit of their work is exhausted.

First Manduka - Chapter 2 (8) - Fools, dwelling in darkness, but wise in their own conceit and puffed up with vain scholarship, wander about, being afflicted by many ills, like blind men led by the blind.

Ish Upanishad says: - Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide. 10/11/12

The religious orthodox people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide, as it were, are doomed to enter those worlds after death.

This is a condemnation of people who do not try to attain Self-knowledge. They are, in a real sense, committing suicide, for what can be worse than being a slave to sense enjoyment, completely oblivious of the real purpose of life, which is to be one ’s, own master? :~Santthosh Kumaar

The nature of the 'I' means the essential qualities or characteristics of the 'I'.+

The nature of the 'I' means the essential qualities or characteristics of the 'I'. The ‘I’, is impermanent in its nature. The ‘I’, which appears and disappears. The ‘I’ is illusory in its nature. the ‘I’ is perishable.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ “The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

Why are you struggling to find out who you are? You will never find the answer if you get stuck to the ‘I’.

Find out ‘what is this ‘I’, which appears and disappears. What is that is aware of the coming and going of the ‘I’?

Without realizing ‘What is this ‘I’?- you will never be able to realize the mystery of the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is the most intoxicating stuff. Those who use the word ‘I’ for the ‘Self ‘will never be able to cross the threshold of the dualistic illusion.

The ‘I’ based teachings will not transport the seeker to the ultimate end of understanding.

The ‘I’ is the cage for the Soul. ‘I’ is the cause of ignorance. Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the only weapon to get rid of ignorance.

The ‘I-centric’ teachings will not transport the seeker to the ultimate end of understanding.

Perfect understanding of ‘what is this ‘I’ leads to the realization of the truth beyond the form, time, and space.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10: ~ If you desire liberation, but you still say 'I'," If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, you are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

Remember: ~

The ‘I’ is not an individual because the ‘I’ is the whole universe.

Limiting the ‘I’ to individuality is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion of reality?

The nature of the ‘I’ is the nature of the mind.

The nature of the mind is the nature of the universe.

The nature of the universe is the nature of the waking.

The nature of waking is the nature of the illusion.

Thus, it is necessary to study the nature of the ‘I’ to unfold the mystery of the universe.

All the teachings limit the ‘I’ to an individual and glorify the ‘I’ without knowing what this ‘I’ is supposed to be in actuality.

All ‘I-centric' teachings are inadequate and useless for the serious seeker of truth.

If you are seeking truth nothing but the truth must discard without mercy such teaching in order to progress in your spiritual quest.

The seeker must know the ‘I’ is not limited to individuality. The seeker has to see the ‘I’ as the universe, in order to overcome ignorance. When the Advaitic wisdom dawns, then the ignorance vanishes.

When ignorance vanishes and the 'I' (dualistic illusion or Maya) you used to think as reality becomes unreal. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Gnani says~: Find out- What is this world in which you exist? and with what this world is made of?. The yogi says:~ find out who you are?+

Gnani says:~ Find out- What is this world in which you exist? and with what this world is made of?. The yogi says:~ find out who you are?

The whole of life has to be resolutely weighed, and accurately, observed in the Atmic path.

The seeker must inquire: What is this world? What is ‘I’? Hence, Soulcentric reasoning is a necessary foundation. Hence too, the Yogi who looks only inside and ignores the world throws away part of the materials needed to find the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Without knowing the nature of the world, it is impossible to know the truth. What is the use of trying to find the inner ‘Self’ before you understand the world? “this world which confronts you as being the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness."

If one does not make his induction from facts from the world before him, the physical world, he is only drawing on his imaginations. Then he says “The Soul is like this, or like that." but it will be only his mental construction.

First, the seeker must inquire into the nature of the mind (matter). Second, he must inquire into the nature of the three states.

Whatever in nature contains in everything is created out of consciousness. The seeker should not shut his eyes to Nature and not shut himself away from the world which is as much the consciousness, as anywhere else.

Those who are dullards tell you to be non-observant and to withdraw: keen powers of observation are desirable and will help and not hinder your pursuit of truth.

The seeker has to take the experiences as they come to him, he should not run away from the world in ascetic fear.

To say the universe is an illusion without first examining it and inquiring into the nature of the universe thoroughly is to delude you. 

This world is common to one and all; therefore the seeker must begin his inquiry with it and not flee. It is only after he has inquired into the nature of the objective world, that he should inquire into who is the knower. 

If, however, he inquires into the knower before the inquiry into the universe, then it is mere mysticism. What is this world?, in the Atmic path. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Ashtavakra:~There is no wisdom whatsoever in the scriptures-just a collection of words. You cannot establish God in truth unless they forget all.+

Religious people may speak upon various scriptures or hear the sermons on the scriptures. 

Advaitic wisdom is nothing to do with religion and religious scriptures. Religion is based on blind belief whereas spirituality is based on the truth of existence. The existence hidden by the universe is God in truth.  

In matters such as spiritual attainment, one’s own realization is the sole authority and it cannot be disputed.

Remember:~

Ashtavakra:~There is no wisdom whatsoever in the scriptures-just a collection of words.

You cannot establish  God in truth unless they forget all.

I only highlighted scriptural insights which point to the ultimate reality. what is not helpful in the pursuit of truth has to be discarded. 

 

The seeker should not bother about finding the meaning of what is written in the scriptures.

Do not indulge in arguing from your own standpoint holding your accumulated knowledge as a yardstick that is pointless. 

Instead, read, reason, and reflect on the subject, which is the Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara to get rid of ignorance. The study of scriptures is not a necessary prerequisite for attaining the human goal of realizing God in truth. 

Remember:~

Sage Sankara does not believe in the book. Sage Sankara denies the authority of any book over any other book. 

Sage Sankara denies emphatically any one book containing all the truths about God, Soul, the ultimate reality.

Those of you who have studied Upanishads remember that again and again, “Not by studying scriptures  can we realize the Self”

Second, it finds veneration for some particular person still more difficult to uphold. If you are seeking the truth then you should not cling to any particular scripture or  Guru or Godmen or their teachings. Not one man or woman has become object worship. 

No man has to worship as God because he is part of the Maya. by worshipping holy books, or holy man Self-realization or   God-realization is an impossibility.

Sage Sankara strongly advocated the study of Upanishads, and at the same time cautioned that the study of Upanishads alone would not lead to moksha. In matters such as spiritual attainment, one’s own realization was the sole authority and it cannot be disputed

Sage Sankara also said the study of Upanishad was neither indispensable nor a necessary prerequisite for attaining the human goal, the moksha.

Sage Sankara pointed out; that even those who were outside the Upanishad fold were as eligible to moksha as those within the fold were. He declared that all beings are Brahman, and therefore the question of discrimination did not arise. All that one was required to do was to get rid of ignorance (Avidya or duality).

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ VC 56- Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by good work, nor by learning, but by the realization of one's identity with Brahman is Liberation possible, and by no other means.

There has never been a single scripture that has the whole wisdom in it.

Scriptures are being added from time to time. This process will go on. There is the final authority among the scriptures. One contradicts the other: duality reigns supreme.

The Upanishads are self-contradictory. Every pundit even gives conflicting interpretations of them. The final authority, therefore, is using one’s own reason. One should apply his reason to them.

The scriptures are for ignorant masses, who wholly accept the material world as it presents itself. Gnana is for those who have begun to realize that things are not what they seem.

The Scriptures are of value only when dealing with persons who are incapable of understanding truth. They have no value as authority for those who use reason.

I quote only verified citations from the scriptures. I need no scriptures but I quote them to help the seekers to realize that religion, scriptures, and the Gods based on blind faith or blind belief are nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The Upanishads are the only scriptures in the world that say:~

It is impossible to find and realize the truth via religion and scriptural study.

That is why Sage Sankara says in Vivekachudamani:~

58. Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for Liberation.

59. The study of the scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

60. The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest that merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Self.

61. For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

62. A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

63. Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

64. Without killing one’s enemies, and possessing oneself of the splendor of the entire surrounding region, one cannot claim to be an emperor by merely saying, ‘I am an emperor’.

65. As a treasure hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction, excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it, and (finally) grasping, but never comes out by being (merely) called out by name, so the transparent truth of the Self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, followed by reflection, meditation and so forth, but not through perverted arguments.

Religion is based on the body (form) as the Self since it is based on birth. Spirituality is based on the soul (formless). Thus,  there is a need to bifurcate religion from spirituality.

Religion views and judges from the standpoint of the physical self/ego, whereas in the path of wisdom,   everything is viewed, judged, and concluded,  on the base of the Soul, the Self.  

Whatever is based on the physical entity (ego or you)  is not spirituality,  because the soul, the  Self has no form, so it has no religion.  Therefore, the seeker of truth has to rectify the reasoning base, from form to formless, to understand and assimilate the Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.   :~ Santthosh Kumaar